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Betahistine, a histamine-like molecule that retains the ability of histamine to modify the microcirculation, has been used clinically in Meniere's Syndrome and in atherosclerosis. Dyspepsia has been reported as an occasional side-effect.Gastric acid secretion in 6 healthy volunteers was measured following the intravenous administration of betahistine and compared with that following a standard pentagastrin test. The mean acid output per hour following betahistine (rate 1.0 mg./min.) was 2.65 m.Eq., whereas that following pentagastrin (dose 6 μg./kg. body-weight) was 14.99. Five of the 6 subjects experienced headache and flushing during the test. The results suggest that in the doses used betahistine does not stimulate gastric acid secretion in man.

The wettability of various perfluorocarbon polymer surfaces has been studied by observing the advancing and receding contact angles formed by a drop of liquid on the surface. Differences in hysteresis can be given a reasonable interpretation in terms of surface topography. The variation in roughness changes the advancing contact angle by as much as 30° and the advancing-receding hysteresis varies from 13–59°. It is suggested that the receding angle is probably the more important in adhesion of ice where drops are blown across the surface at glancing angles and, therefore, exceedingly smooth perfluorocarbon polymer surfaces may be better than rougher surfaces for this application. No significant difference was observed between the two polymer structures, polytetrafluoroethylene and the copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene.

A study has been made of the wettability of thin films of polyethylene by observing the equilibrium advancing contact angle formed by a drop of liquid on the surface. Treatment of polyethylene film by exposure to methane/oxygen flames of varying intensity produces a controllable increase in the polarity of the surface as measured by the contact angles with a series of solutions of ethyl alcohol in water. The surface tension lowering of water by ethyl alcohol required to give complete spreading was determined for each flaming condition and related to the adhesion of a polar printing ink. It is shown that an essential criterion for good ink adhesion is the complete wetting of the film surface by the ink. It is suggested that a simple measure of the efficacy of the preprinting treatment would be the contact angle of water with the film.

A double-blind controlled trial was performed to assess the effectiveness of cholestyramine in treating severe continuous postvagotomy diarrhoea. Each patient and a clinician assessed the results, and those treated with cholestyramine showed a considerable improvement over those given placebo. There were no significant side effects or changes in laboratory values in the cholestyramine group. Although the numbers were too small for statistical analysis, these results suggest that cholestyramine may be of value in the management of some patients with severe continuous postvagotomy diarrhoea who are unresponsive to other forms of treatment.

The fecal excretion of bile acids was estimated in patients with postvagotomy diarrhoea, normal control subjects and a control group who had undergone truncal vagotomy and drainage but who did not have diarrhoea. The total daily bile acid excretion in the feces was significantly increased in the postvagotomy diarrhoea group: 2538 ± 632 mg (s.e.m.) compared with 799 ± 117 mg in the normal controls. There was no significant difference between the total daily bile acid excretion in the patients with postvagotomy diarrhoea and that of patients who had undergone vagotomy and drainage but who did not have diarrhoea. A significant increase in the fecal excretion of chenodeoxycholic acid was found in the postvagotomy diarrhoea group compared with the two control groups. This increase may be a factor in the pathogenesis of postvagotomy diarrhoea.

A study of 510 patients in Scotland and northeastern England with histological evidence of alcohol-induced liver disease showed no difference in the age of presentation between males and females. Single men and widowed females were particularly susceptible to alcoholic liver disease. The social class distribution was similar to the population in general. Women were more reluctant to volunteer a history of alcoholism than men, they had a higher incidence of previous psychiatric illness (usually due to alcohol abuse) and they developed liver disease at lower consumption thresholds of alcohol than men. Patients under 40 years of age were more likely to have alcoholic fatty liver and less likely to have active cirrhosis than those over 40. Most often, the presenting symptoms were non-specific and tended to be related to the gastrointestinal system, particularly in women. Five per cent of patients were asymptomatic and 14% came to hospital for conditions other than alcoholic liver disease. Important clues to asymptomatic alcoholic liver disease included hepatomegaly, clubbing of the fingers and abnormal liver function tests. Gastro-oesophageal varices accounted for 40% of instances of haemorrhage and the mortality from upper gastrointestinal bleeding was 17%. Anaemia was the most common haematological abnormality. Alcoholic hepatitis was observed more frequently in the Glasgow area then elsewhere.

A study of 510 patients in Scotland and northeastern England with hlstological evidence of alcohol-induced liver disease showed no difference in the age of presentation between males and females. Single men and widowed females were particularly susceptible to alcoholic liver disease. The social class distribution was similar to the population in general. Women were more reluctant to volunteer a history of alcoholism than men, they had a higher incidence of previous psychiatric illness (usually due to alcohol abuse) and they developed liver disease at lower consumption thresholds of alcohol than men. Patients under 40 years of age were more likely to have alcoholic fatty liver and less likely to have active cirrhosis than those over 40. Most often, the presenting symptoms were non-specific and tended to be related to the gastrointestinal system, particularly in women. Five per cent of patients were asymptomatic and 14% came to hospital for conditions other than alcoholic liver disease. Important clues to asymptomatic alcoholic liver disease included hepatomegaly, clubbing of the fingers and abnormal liver function tests. Gastro-oesophageal varices accounted for 40% of instances of haemorrhage and the mortality from upper gastrointestinal bleeding was 17%. Anaemia was the most common haematological abnormality. Alcoholic hepatitis was observed more frequently in the Glasgow area then elsewhere.

Electron microscopy of hepatic tissue obtained by percutaneous needle biopsy from nine patients with Gilbert's syndrome has revealed in every case gross hypertrophy of hepatocyte agranular endoplasmic reticulum but no other important abnormality. While this may have relevance to impairment of microsomal enzyme activity controlling bilirubin conjugation within liver cells, the serum bilirubin levels in all nine patients were below that normally associated with demonstrable UDP-glucuronyl transferase deficiency. Gross hypertrophy of agranular endoplasmic reticulum may be, therefore, a constant feature of this form of Gilbert's syndrome and may have some diagnostic value in the investigation of unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia.

1. The transport of water, sodium and chloride across the jejunal mucosa was studied in fourteen patients with untreated adult coeliac disease by using a triple-lumen tube perfusion system. The results were compared with those obtained by identical methods in fifteen normal control volunteers. 2. Evidence was obtained suggesting that not only was absorption impaired in the adult coeliac disease group, but that in some patients there was secretion of water and electrolytes. 3. No significant improvement had occurred in six patients 2–4 months after withdrawal of gluten, nor in one patient after 8 months, in spite of histological improvement and clinical remission.

1. The effect of conjugated and unconjugated bile acids in various concentrations on the absorption of water, sodium and chloride in the proximal jejunum in man has been studied using a perfusion system incorporating a proximal occluding balloon. 2. Unconjugated cholic acid and its glycine and taurine conjugates had no significant effect on water and electrolyte absorption. Unconjugated deoxycholic acid significantly inhibited water and electrolyte absorption at 3 mm concentration and net secretion occurred at concentrations of 5 mm, 7 mm and 10 mm. Similar results were found when taurodeoxycholic and glycodeoxycholic acid solutions were used. A greater effect was noted when higher concentrations of bile acids were used. 3. Unconjugated chenodeoxycholic acid caused net water and electrolyte secretion at 3 mm concentration and this effect became more marked with higher bile acid concentrations. Inhibition of absorption also occurred with taurochenodeoxycholic acid in a concentration of 3 mm and net secretion occurred at a concentration of 10 mm. 4. The results show that dihydroxy bile acids, conjugated or unconjugated, inhibit water and electrolyte absorption in the proximal jejunum in low concentration and cause net secretion in high concentration.

Thirty-nine blood donors, found on routine testing to be Australia antigen (HB Ag) or antibody (HB Ab) positive, were studied for evidence of hepatic disease. Seven had severe and 5 had minor biochemical abnormalities; 8 of these 12 subjects had HB Ag and 4 HB Ab; 4 had raised serum cholesterol but no other biochemical abnormalities; 23 subjects had normal biochemistry. Of 11 subjects who underwent hepatic biopsy, 3 were found to have evidence of chronic persistent hepatitis. Two of these 3 had HB Ag and 1 had HB Ab. Minor histological abnormalities were found in a further 5 subjects. Five subjects with normal biochemistry were biopsied, and 1 of these was found to have chronic persistent hepatitis. The results suggest that subjects with persistently positive tests for HB Ag or HB Ab may have chronic hepatic disease. Close followup of blood donors and other subjects found to have positive tests is thus indicated. Normal biochemical findings do not exclude abnormal hepatic histology.